AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Giant City State Park

Makanda Pond–Campground Pond, 4 sights

9.4 mi · ▲ 1,008 ft · 3 hr 38 min

Makanda Pond–Campground Pond, 4 sights is a 9.4-mile out-and-back in Giant City State Park near Water Valley, IL. The route passes Campground Pond and Makanda Pond. It climbs 1,008 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 71/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi440 – 699 ft · steepest grade: 16%9.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: River To River Trail 37.59297, -89.15700
Nearest town Water Valley, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Makanda Pond–Campground Pond, 4 sights

9.4 mi · ▲ 1,008 ft · 3 hr 38 min

Elevation 439–700 ft

Out & Back · Giant City State Park

Trailhead: River To River Trail · 37.59297, -89.15700

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:43 AM · sunset 6:58 PM

  1. Start on River To River Trail, heading W.
  2. 0.3 miBear left, heading NW.
  3. 0.8 miTurn right onto Red Cedar Trail, heading N.
  4. 0.2 miPass Campground Pond.
  5. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading W.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading W.
  7. 50 ftContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading W.
  8. 0.2 miBear right onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SW.
  9. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading SW.
  10. 50 ftBear left onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SW.
  11. 1.2 miSharp left onto Horse Trail, heading N.
  12. 0.7 miPass Makanda Pond.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  14. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  15. 0.4 miBear left onto Red Cedar Trail, heading NW.
  16. 100 ftTurn right onto River to River Trail, heading N.
  17. 0.1 miReach Makanda Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  18. 0.1 miTurn left onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SW.
  19. 100 ftBear right onto Horse Trail, heading W.
  20. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  21. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  22. 0.7 miSharp right onto Red Cedar Trail, heading S.
  23. 1.2 miBear right onto Horse Trail, heading E.
  24. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading NE.
  25. 0.2 miBear left onto Horse Trail, heading NE.
  26. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading NE.
  27. 50 ftContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading NE.
  28. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading NE.
  29. 0.9 miTurn left onto River to River Trail, heading S.
  30. 1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/little-grassy-lake-makanda-pond-out-back-5-lakes-14-km

Trail surface

77% dirt23% grass

Weather

Sunrise 6:43 AMSunset 6:58 PM

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